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Good money after bad? - Joe Cimino

Once again this community is grappling with a "scandal" involving our hard-earned tax dollars being unaccounted for. Neureka was touted as the antecedent to a larger self-sufficient local biotechnology industry.

Once again this community is grappling with a "scandal" involving our hard-earned tax dollars being unaccounted for.

Neureka was touted as the antecedent to a larger self-sufficient local biotechnology industry. Nine years, and millions of public dollars later, Neureka, is
done.

Many argue that this should be viewed as a learning experience. I argue the citizenry of Greater Sudbury have had more than their fair share of experience with their money being ill spent with little accountability.

Our city council lost millions in their experiment with co-generation plant ownership.

Moreover, money has been thrown at a proposed bio-diesel plant and wind farms that have yet not come to volition, to name a few.

An entire book can be written about the one-hospital site construction project and what went horribly wrong there.

There is an unprecedented movement in Canada for the demanding of accountability. The Conrad Black case is one example of many that confirms shareholders have had enough with secrecy and lack of transparency. We as shareholders of our city must command the same degree of accountability of our politicians that investors expect from the board room.

Neureka must be the final straw. Greater Sudbury, if anything, must evolve into a city that doesn't turn a blind eye to enigmatic, quasi-public enterprise. I look to city council, a co-founder of Neureka, to show fortitude and initiate a public disclosure of where every penny of public money was spent by Neureka. Sudburians have subsidized this Neureka venture through escalating property taxes. We deserve to see the books and someone or some group needs to be held responsible, who ever they may be.

Joe Cimino
Greater Sudbury